ON XANTHATE ADSORPTION ON GALENA IN FLOTATION SYSTEM

The galvanic contact between grinding media (mild and stainless steel) and sulphide mineral (galena) has been studied. Galena frothless flotation tests for conditions before and after its galvanic contact with steels have shown that mild steel exerted a higher depressing effect on galena than stainless steel. The electrochemical nature of interaction was investi-gated by electrode potential and short circuit current measurements. Also, zeta potential measurements were employed to identify interaction between galena and grinding media. The tests indicated the cathodic behaviour of galena (reduction) and the anodic behaviour of steel (oxidation) in the galvanic contact. It was postulated that an iron hydrated oxide or hydroxide type compounds formed on galena surface upon galvanic contact with grinding media, decreased its floatability